Thread: Life Jackets?

Originally Posted by Hanr3

..... 40 plus years ago. I'm not as invincible as I used to be.

My experience with cold water is farther back than that : stationed in South Korea 1969, I swam/body surfed in the Sea of Japan. Water temps are around 45deg all year long, and the air temp was in the 90's that day. Getting in was a "shocking" experience, to be sure. Wouldn't want to even attempt getting in 60deg water nowadays ... not sure the old ticker would appreciate the shock.

One of our favorite white bass spawning fisheries is a creek that runs right thru the middle of a major city. This creek has very steep banks and you have to repel yourself up and down with a rope to get to some spots. This creek is known to have very slippery banks during the spring white bass run due to the spring rains. Us old timers know too wear football/soccer cleats and tie yourself off when going down those step banks. Well a newbie who could not swim fell in and drowned fishing the creek. It was sight I will never ever forget. A life vest would have saved his life.

The guy I helped that flipped his kayak had a pfd in his kayak. Did him absolutely no good as it was floating away before he even struggled up to the surface. Unless worn there is no guarantee they will even be close by if something goes wrong, and it can go wrong fast.

A good paddle sports cut life jacket is a must in a kayak. Some of them are a little pricey but the comfort and features are worth it. I like a bright colored vest and bright colored blades on the paddle. I want to be seen

By myself or in winter it stays on 100% of the time & the only time mine comes off period is if fishing with a buddy in the heat of summer with the trolling motor in the water & we're actively fishing.

Had the float coat and pants from Stearns. They work. Only had one problem with them. Was putting out decoys one December and had just the coat on over my waders. Foot got snagged on a sunken root system and did a face plant in 39 degree water. Float coat and waders kept me a float but had a hard time trying to force my legs down to touch bottom. Seemed like a long time that I was in the water but probably was less than a couple minutes. Since than I carry a walking stick when wading out.
Use the coat and pants when ice fishing. In the boat inflatable and bright yellow.

I got an inflatable and wear it the entire time I'm in the boat. I'm still a pretty strong swimmer and comfortable in the water, but accidents can happen very fast and it's worth the price of wearing a vest. And if you are in cold water, you will definitely need the help a vest provides. A cold water shock to the body can lock you up.